Le Code de la presse et de l’édition de 2016 à l’épreuve de la presse indépendante. Les limites de la liberté d’expression au Maroc

Abstract

The Moroccan version of the Arab Spring played a key role in rebuilding political and media arenas. King Mohamed VI responded to the social protests by revising the July 29, 2011 constitution. Article 28 of the constitution guarantees freedom of the press, but this supreme law does not provide journalists with any safeguards against sanctions restricting their freedom, and journalists have continued to be convicted for press offences. In 2021, the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters without Borders ranked Morocco 136th out of 180 countries, down 16 places from 2005. This article sets out to (a) point out the paradox marking the journalistic space by showing the rift between legal texts and practices; (b) cross-reference investigations by international organizations and Ministry of Communication reports on press freedom; (c) address the problems handicapping the law on the new Press Code.